July 9, 2023

DPAA undertakes recovery mission in Italy during 80th anniversary of Operation Husky

On July 10th, 1943, the Allied Powers prepared more than 3,000 ships, 150,000 ground troops, and 4,000 aircraft for a large-scale invasion of the island of Sicily, then controlled by the Nazi-led Axis Powers. Before sunrise, the massive assault would dismantle Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and become the first significant step in liberating

May 31, 2023

DPAA begins multi-year “Hellship” Accounting Project

WASHINGTON — The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) began the multi-year project to disinter the remains of 431 Unknowns that are associated with those lost on the Enoura Maru, a cargo ship used by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II to transport prisoners of war (POWs).  Nearly 1000 service members are unaccounted for from this incident.The first

March 21, 2023

Framework Arrangement Enables First Survey Mission for Americans Missing from World War II in Indonesia

Arlington, VA — The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) signed a Framework Arrangement with the Government of Indonesia March 21 that permits the first DPAA joint research and survey mission later this year of Americans missing from World War II in Indonesia. Concluding several years of coordination and multiple Secretary of Defense engagements, the two

Feb. 17, 2023

DPAA reaches 50 identifications for the Huertgen Forest Project

WASHINGTON — On December 12, 2022, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that Private First Class William L. Simon had been accounted-for, nearly 78 years after he was killed fighting German forces near the town of Germeter, Germany, during World War II. Simon’s identification answered his family’s questions and marked the 50th identification

Feb. 17, 2023

That’s my Dad! DPAA hosts Aliamanu Middle School

Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickham, Hawaii — It isn’t very often that a son or daughter gets to say, ‘My dad is a historical archeologist who helps return lost heroes to their families’, but Nino Peterson, Aliamanu Middle School (AMS) student, gets to say just that and more.The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) hosted Nino and her fellow students during a visit to the headquarters

Sept. 17, 2021

A Proclamation on National POW/MIA Recognition Day, 2021 (via WhiteHouse.gov)

When service members take an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States, they do so knowing that they may be called upon to make great sacrifices to ensure and sustain our shared values. These patriots accept those risks and rush to fulfill the mission, no matter how harsh or dangerous the conditions. They embody the best of the American

May 10, 2021

Austin Says POW/MIA Agency's Mission Gives Confidence to Service Members in War (via Navy.mil)

During a Friday visit to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, the secretary of defense visited the agency charged with attempting to locate, identify and return to families the remains of service members who were lost in combat.Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III told the civilian and military personnel at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting

April 8, 2021

Ceremony Remembers U.S., Vietnamese Personnel Killed in 2001 Helicopter Crash (via Defense.gov)

American and Vietnamese officials joined together today in the Pentagon to remember 16 service members who were killed 20 years ago while searching for the remains of American troops lost during the Vietnam War.Seven American and nine Vietnamese officials were lost when an Mi-7 helicopter crashed into a mountain in Quang Binh province. The combined

March 25, 2021

Medal of Honor Monday: Army Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun (via Defense.gov)

Army Chaplain Emil Kapaun inspired his men during the Korean War with calm, courageous leadership, instilling in his fellow prisoners of war a desire to stay strong — even after he no longer could. His actions eventually earned him the nation's highest military honor, as well as a potential path to sainthood.Kapaun was born April 20, 1916, in rural

June 25, 2020

U.S., South Korea Repatriate Remains of 147 Korean Soldiers

Navy Adm. Philip S. Davidson spoke during a June 23 repatriation ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, in which the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency turned over the remains of 147 South Korean service members who died in the Korean War in the largest repatriation of South Korean soldiers.The effort to return the remains is a part of